One Little Word® 2014

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Make your word visible: Order your own word from recycled matericals created by artist Colleen Attara here

My One Little Word for 2014 is thrive.

This year, more than any other I can remember, I'm starting off the year with questions. What does it mean for me to thrive? What does it look like? What does it fee like? Are there areas in which I'm already thriving? What's realistic vs. visions of what I have in my head of what it means to thrive?

Open was an awesome word for me last year. It was a touchstone as I navigated my way through growing pains and man oh man did it work in a million different ways I could not have imagined when I started 2013. More often than not when faced with a decision, I chose to open more rather than closing off which was my number one intention last year. That said, I feel like I've been spinning in circles a lot this past year. I've been reacting vs. being proactive and have been dealing with a variety of issues related to stress and growth (totally all part of my own life journey).

To me thriving is optimal living. It's being present and awake and stepping up to be my best self physically, emotionally, spiritually, creatively and within my relationships.

It's not a quest for perfection. It's an opportunity to continue choosing to let go of things outside of my control and to figure out who that best-me-right-now really is.

It will be a whole new journey and I'm here to tell you I welcome it wholeheartedly.

Bring on 2014.

This year I invited my friend Elise Blaha Cripe to film a little video about her experience with One Little Word. One of the reasons I admire Elise is that she is awesome at follow-through and documentation. I've loved reading about her experience with her words over the last few years on her blog and she inspires me consistently with her projects and her real-life reflections.

Here's Elise in her own words:

Thank you Elise for sharing about your own journey here.


AE_Thrive

Are you considering selecting a word for yourself (or letting one find you)? There's no right or wrong. The main thing to remember is that this is your word. It's not for your child, parent, partner, spouse, sister, etc.

And what do you do with this one little word?

You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. There are so many possibilities.

SHARE YOUR WORD THE COMMENTS | I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2014. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word. In a couple days I’ll combine all the words into a single post – super inspiring to see all the words in one place.

If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.


ONE LITTLE WORD® 2014 | To help keep your One Little Word® more visible throughout the year I offer a year-long workshop featuring one prompt per month. Read all the details and sign up here. Registration is $5 off until December 31.

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938 thoughts

  1. Lisa S says…
    01/01/2014

    My wird is Healing

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Frances says…
    01/01/2014

    My OLW for 2014 is Positivity. This word scares me because I naturally am not optimistic or positive, but I know it will challenge me to find compassion when I'm angry, faith when I doubt, strength when I fail, and forgiveness when I'm wronged. 2013 was such a good year for me that I want to push myself to see the positive in myself, humanity, the world and the universe. Cheers to all in 2014!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Erika says…
    01/01/2014

    brave

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Debbie says…
    01/01/2014

    This year my word is ACCOMPLISH....
    I also keep all of my past words in my life--simplify, focus, be, create, less..
    Past words are all on my Pinterest boards (Debbie Nobles) if that helps anyone with their word.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Dawn M says…
    01/01/2014

    This year, I have chosen STRIVE for my OLW. The definition is to
    "make great efforts to achieve or obtain something". There is so much I'd like to achieve in 2014 in so many different aspects of my life. I'm looking forward to seeing where it takes me and documenting it along the way.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Marcela says…
    01/01/2014

    Happy

    Being happy with everything that life throws at me. I believe everything happens for a reason and to find the good in every situation. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Cathi says…
    01/01/2014

    FORWARD is my word for 2014...Life, Love, Career, Health... :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. JennyB says…
    01/01/2014

    I've been thinking about possible words for the past week and I think that I will go with Renovate. Renovate comes from the Latin word renovare and means "to make new". One definition is "to restore to life, vigor, and activity". There are many areas of my life that need renovating; I feel like I have been going through the motions, doing what I feel I am called to do but without joy and energy. I hope that this will change as I explore what this word will mean for me in 2014. I know that it will mean tearing down or letting go of some things to make space for the new.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Karen Young says…
    01/01/2014

    My Word this year is Complete.

    complete
    transitive verb
    : to finish making or doing (something) : to bring (something) to an end or to a finished state
    : to make (something) whole or perfect

    I have many projects I need to finish.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Amy Nabors says…
    01/01/2014

    2013 was a tough year for several reasons, but it did have some good as well. As 2014 begins my word is REST. Not necessarily physical rest, but resting in abilities God has given me. Resting in the plans He has given us as we wait for our house to sell so we can make a major move.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jenn says…
    01/01/2014

    Empower

    - I finished school this past year - homeopath now :) I turned 40 and I feel like I take on my health, wealth and well being - moving forword

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Dawn says…
    01/01/2014

    The word I have chosen is nurture (care for and encourage the growth or development of). There are many reasons that I have chosen this word, but mostly it just FEELS right. We are currently expecting our first child. She is due to arrive in April. This year I feel the need to concentrate on nurturing so many things in myself but also our new daughter, our marriage, our family, the list goes on. I'm looking forward to using this class to document my journey. Thank you Ali for giving us all this opportunity!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Lorraine Clark says…
    01/01/2014

    My word is Treasure and my husband's word is Unique.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. kat-in-texas says…
    01/01/2014

    Glorify--to honor or give high praise; exalt.

    God gives us everything we need: talents, opportunities, careers, oxygen...I need to be more mindful of Him and His blessings!!! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Heidi says…
    01/01/2014

    Strength is my word. I want to focus on physical and inner strength. I look forward to the new year!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Leslie says…
    01/01/2014

    My word is intention.

    I want this year to be more purposeful, less being passive and letting life just happen. More goals and mindfulness, less just going through the motions...

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Julie @ Girl on the Move says…
    01/01/2014

    Intentional

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Lynn F says…
    01/01/2014

    My word for 2014 is Color! I want to bring more color into my life - literally and figuratively. I want to focus on my artistic journey with paper and paint and other creative mediums, but also am yearning to explore ways to color the horizon for my every day. COLOR --- big bold bright color!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. tammie says…
    01/01/2014

    complete.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Tina says…
    01/01/2014

    Change.

    This is my first OLW. I chose it to represent all the small changes I want to make this year, knowing they will equal the big change I am hoping for!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. angie says…
    01/01/2014

    i just started doing my one little word last year and love the whole idea of it... last year it was focus... my word for this year is ENOUGH... it holds a couple of different meanings to me... thanks for inspiring us all, ali... xo

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. darby logan says…
    01/01/2014

    Time/transition are my words, but transition will be my main focus. Although, as I have mulled over my words, these two can be closely linked in my life right now. I am looking forward to exploring the deeper meaning of my words this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. katie says…
    01/01/2014

    This is my first year doing OLW, and I am so excited to have a word "choose" me this year… It will be SAVOR. I need to savor all the blessings in my life, savor time with my children while they are still home with me, savor my marriage of 17 years, and savor my relationship with God… Thanks for the inspiration, Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Michele says…
    01/01/2014

    My OLW is...appreciate. After being diagnosed with Breast Cancer and spending the past six months undergoing chemotherapy, I realize that I had begun to take my blessed life for granted. I have so much to be grateful for and although I would not have signed up for this journey with BC, it has made me realize that I have so much to be grateful for. I will spend the next year appreciating everything that I have!

    BTW...I must say that after reading Ali's about OLW, watching Elise's video and reading the OLW comments...it is amazing how similar all of our journey's are. Thank you Ali for putting OLW out there so we can connect with others and recognize that we are all a work in progress.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. L.M. says…
    01/01/2014

    I have chosen "clear," which works well for me as an adjective and a verb!

    Reply 0 Replies

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